Exerciser



Sept 24, 1935. W, E, SHARP 2,015,320

EXERC I SER Filed Dec. 12, 1928 2 sheets-sheet 1 /33 FIG. 1o

49 55 gyn/vento@ 6 FIG, 8 54 William E. Sharp Slept 24, .l l W, El SHARP 2,5,320f

EXERCISER Filed Dec. l2, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 4 7

gwumtoz FIG. 5 W'llam E. Sharp Patented Sept. 24, 1935 PATENT OFFICE EXERcIsER William E. Sharp, Chicago, Ill.; Minnie E. Sharp executrix of the estate of said Sharp, deceased Application December 12, 1928, Serial No. 325,538 .9 claims. (c1. 12s-63) This invention relates to vibrating `or exercising machines and more particularly to one for vibrating an engaging member or belt 'adapted to surround a portion vof the anatomy of an iny dividual.

'The principal objectof my invention, generally considered, is'to provide a rugged vibrating orA exercising machine having a base which holds it firmly on the floor, a portionV of said base being adapted to support the patient to be treated and housing for a vibrating or exercising machine for holding an electric motor Vin position and supporting an upright Vshaft and intermediate mechanism for vibrating said shaft, vibrating arms 'being connected to the upper endof said shaft and formed with portions of reduced section for receiving the looped ends of a .massaging belt in adjusted positions.

A further object of my invention is to provide an exercising machine comprising A.a base and housing resting thereon and enclosing the mechanism, that lportion of the base extending beyond the housing being adapted tosupport the patient and being hinged for upward swinging out of the way when not in use, or being made in the form of removable rods which arereceived in sockets in the base ofthe machine and held in vertical position when said machine is not being'used.

Other objects and advantages of the invention relating to the particular arrangement and construction of the various parts will become appar'- ent as the description proceeds.

' Referring tothe vdrawings illustrating myinvention, the scope whereof is defined by the appended claims. l

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional viewof one form of my exercising machine, portions ofthe enclosed Ymechanism being illustrated in elevation.

Figure 2 is an elevational view, at right angles to that shown in Figure 1, of the upper portion of the machine Vhousing, the vibrating arms extending from the vertical vibratory shaft or rod of the machine and themassagingbelt associated therewith.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view on the line 3 3 of Figure 2, looking inthe direction of the arrows.

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view on the line 4 4 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 5 is a side elevational view of a modifled form of machine, the lower portion only being 5 illustrated.

Figure 6 is a plan of the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figure 5, portions of the vibrating arms being broken away.

Figure 7 is a perspective of a cabinet or screen 10 adapted to enclose the form of machine shown in Figures 5 and 6 when not in use.

Figure8 is a fragmentary sectional view corresponding to Figure 1, but showing a further embodiment of my invention. Y

Figure 9 is a fragmentary view corresponding to Figure 2, but showing a modified form of vibrating or handle bar and associated massaging belt.

Figure 10 is a sectional view on the line III-I0 20 of Figure 9, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring Vto the drawings in detail, like parts being designated by like reference characters, and rst considering the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive, I 25 have shown an exercising machine comprising a base I preferably formed as a casting with a horizontal upper web 2 upon which, or upon lugs or ribs 3 thereon, rests a housing 4 preferably formed as a casting and serving to enclose an 30 electric motor or other power means 5 for imparting vibration or oscillation to an upright or vertical shaft or rod 6, the housing 4 preferably comprising an inner framing 'I which is desirably cast and connected to the housing proper 35 by a plurality of screws or the like 8. Said housing and inner framing are desirably securely connected'to the base I by ar plurality of screws or bolts-9.

' The Vbase I, which has an upper web 2, nor- 40 mally horizontal -where it supports the housing 4, is preferably provided withrra downward em-V bossment I0 in said web forming a pocket beneath the motor 5 for receiving any oil or grease drip-V pings from the mechanism and also providing the 45 necessary clearance between the motor and base. The web 2 beyond the housing 4 preferably slopes, as indicated at II, so that the patient I2V can stand on the sloping portion and lean backwardly against the massaging belt I3, and 50 at the same time maintain the normal angularity between feet and legs. The web portion II is preferably formed with a depression I4 adapted to receive a mat I5 of rubber or fabric. For

rigidifying'the base, the outer edges of the webs 55 2 and II are downwardly flanged as indicated at I6 and intermediate ribs or gussets I1 are also desirably provided.

The frame 'I not only serves to support the motor 5, as by means of bolts I8, but also forms seats for the bearings I 9 and 2D, thereby holding them securely in place and maintaining the desired relation therebetween. The motor 5 is desirably supported with its shaft 2| extending vertically or upright and keyed to a larger rod or shaft 22 rotating in the bearing I9, which is preferably a ball bearing, as illustrated. Above they bearing I9 is a preferably smaller bearing 23, eccentric to the bearing I9, and a counterbalance weight 24 extending opposite from the eccentricity of the bearing 23 to balance the centrifugal force of the reciprocating or oscillat-` ing link 25, one end of which is connected to the shaft 22 at the bearing 23, and the other end of which is pivotally connected to a vibrating arm or`crank 26 mounted on the lower end of the vibrating, Aoscillating or pivotally mounted shaft 6 preferably below the bearing 20, as by means of a pin 21. The link 25 may be held on the bearing 23 in any desired manner as by means of a Washer 28 and bolt 29. The crank or rod 26 is non-rotatably connected on the vibrating Shaft B in any desired manner as by means of a set screw 30. The upper end of the shaft 6 is rotatably mounted in a bearing 3|, and nonrotatably or rigidly connected to said upper end is a pair of handle bars or vibrating arms 32 extending outwardly in opposite directions from a hub or operating head 33 which may be keyed or otherwise non-rotatably or rigidly connected to the shaft 6 and held thereon by a nut and washer 34 and 35.

In order to adjust the amplitude or intensity of vibration imparted from the handle bar 32 to' the massaging belt I3, said handle bar is formed of varying cross section, as indicated, or with a series of portions 36of reduced section, and each end of the belt I3 is desirably provided with a loop 31 fitting over the handle bar or rods 32 and adapted to be moved to the desired location on said bar and held in place on the portions 3B of reduced section. The loops 31 are formed of such size that they may be readily moved on the vhandle bar 32 to the desired location, even when the bar is vibrating, but are tight enough on the bar so that they will not slip of their own accord. It will therefore be apparent that the patient I2 may stand on the platform or base I and place the belt around the body, start the machine by moving a switch or pushing a button 38fand receive Vibration and massage from the corresponding vibration of the belt I3 imparted from the vibrating handle bars 32, and such massage may be varied at will while the machine is operating by moving the'loops 311 together or apart to the desired positions on the handle bars.

Referring now to the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figures 5, 6 and '1, an embodiment is illustrated in which the base Ia of the machine is much smaller and'approximately the size of the lower portion of the housing 4a, so that it takes up much less floor space than the baseof the previous embodiment. In'order to increase the stability ofthe machine when being used, a pair of rods or bars 39 are employed fitting in sockets 40 inthe base I so that they normally extend-approximately horizontally for increasing theY effective outline of the base. In order to avoid marring the floor-on which the machine stands, the ends of the bars 39 are desirably provided with balls or cushions 4I of rubber or the like normally engaging the iloor. When the machine is not in use, the bars 39 may be pulled out of the sockets 40, in which they may either fit snugly or be threaded thereinto 5 or be held in any desired manner, and inserted. in similar sockets 42 in the base Ia opening upwardly, so that said bars 39 are held in upright or vertical positions, thereby effecting a saving in floor area and having them out of the way 10 when the machine is not in use. If it is desired to further stabilize the machine or hold it in one` place on the floor, bolts 43 may extend through said base into the floor and/or hooks 44 may be connectedto the wall 45 as by means of screws 15 or bolts 45 and engage lugs 41 on the sides of the housing 4e. In order to conceal the exercising machine when not in use, a decorative cabinet or cover 48, occupying a relatively small floor area, with two side walls, a front wall and a top 20 may be employed to cover the machine after the bars 39`have been placed in upright inoperative positions. Except as specifically described and illustrated in Figures 56 and '1, the exerciser may correspond with that of Figures 1 to 4 inclusive. 25

Referring now to the embodiment of my in- Vention illustrated in Figures 8, 9 and 10, a ma chine isA shown with a base Ib comprising a nousing supporting portion 48 and a patient supporting portion 49. The housing supporting portion 30" 48 may support a housing 4b similar to or identical with the housing 4 of the first embodiment, and the motor 5b and enclosed mechanism may correspond with that of the first embodiment. In

order to get the patient supporting portion 49 35 out of the way when not in use, the same is hinged to the housing supporting portion 48, as by means of hinge bolts or pins 50 through preferably integral lugs 5I on the housing supporting portion and 52 Yon the patient supporting por- 40 tion. In order to avoid starting the machine and having it pulled over on the patient while being used due to the hinging between parts 48 and 49, a latch 53 is provided which normally locks the parts together in line, as illustrated, but which 45 maybe released to permit upward swinging of the part 49 by pulling the bell crank lever 54 connected to the release rod 55 which is spring actuated to normally urge the wedge 56 between the upper web of the part 49 and the adjacent 50 end of the latch 53 to urge the other heavier end 51 of said latch into engagement with a flange or shoulder 58 on the housing supporting portion 48 for locking the parts together. When the bell crank lever 54 is pulled out, the latching end 55 51 of the latch 53 is permitted to drop by gravity and release the patient supporting platform 49 and permit it to be rotated into inoperative upright position.

In order to break the circuit to the motor 5 and 60 prevent operation thereof when the platform 49 is unlocked or raised, the latching end 51 engages a switch 59 and causesV contact to be made between contact piece 50 on the switch and 6I on engaging contact arm so that the circuit is closed 65 through lead-in wires 62 and 63 which are in series with the circuit to the motor 5 permitting theA operation thereof. When the bell crank lever 54 is pulled outwardly, the latch portion 51 is permitted to drop and allows the engaged heavier end of the switch 59 to drop and break contact between the blocks 69 and 6I opening the circuit through the motor 5 and preventing operation thereof. In order to always maintain the latch in locked position until manually operated. to

QQ'SQ Yrelease fit, the'wedge is "urged into 4engagement with Ysaid latch by resilient `means `such as Va helicalrspring" 64 in compression 'between said wedge Aand a guiding lug 65 o'nfthe platform '49.

The handle Ybar or Vibrating rods''SZb vof the present embodin'ntlmay correspond with the first embodiment or may be of substantially uniform diameter with a series of notches 66 above and below for engagement with eyelets El in the ends of the massaging belt |31. Said eyelets are preferably so formed that the belt freely slips over the ends of the handle bar 32b when in the position shown in Figure 10, and upon pulling on the belt, the reduced portions 68 of the eyelets engage in the notches 66 and hold the belt in adjusted position on the handle bars so that the degree of massage may be freely adjusted even while the bars are vibrating, although not quite as easily as with the arrangement of the first embodiment.

From the foregoing description taken' in connection with the accompanying drawings, it will be seen that I have provided an exercising or V- brating machine of rugged construction in which the rotating or vibrating parts are firmly mounted in bearings of ample size, all of said bearings being enclosed in a dust prooi housing and supported on a base adapted to catch al1 grease or oil and prevent soiling of the floor or carpet on which the machine may rest. In modified forms, I have shown how the floor space for the machine may be economized when said machine is not being used, either by removing and reinserting stabilizing rods or by swinging the patient supporting base or Yplatform to inoperative position. One particularly important feature of my invention is the provision for readily adjusting the amount of massage or vibration transmitted from the machine even while said machine is in motion. In the first embodiment illustrated, it will be noted that by virtue of the sloping platform or patient supporting portion of the base,

I have not only economized in weight of metal' used for the base, but have also reduced the height of the patient supporting portion at the outer end 'above the supporting floor, thereby reducing the possibility of tripping over the platform and making it possible for the patient to lean back against the encircling belt while still maintaining the normal angular relation between the feet and legs, thereby enabling a more restful posture to be maintained.V

Having now described my invention, I claim:

1. In an exercising-machine, a baise, a casing extending upwardly from said base and enclosing an upright rod mounted for oscillation about'its axis and power means for vibrating said rod, arms connected to, and extending in opposite directions from the upper end of said rod for being vibrated thereby, and a belt adjustably associated with said arms for imparting massage to a person standing on said base,`that portion of said base upon which the person stands sloping away from the housing for the purpose described.

2. In an exercising machine, a base adapted to support the machine at all times, a housing disposed thereon, an upright rod mounted for oscillation about its axis and enclosed in said housing, arms rigid with said rod and extending therefrom in opposite directions and power means for operating said rod for imparting vibration to said arms comprising a housing-supporting portion and a patient-supporting portion hinged together adjacent one edge of said housing, whereby when the machine is not in use, the patient-supporting portion may be foldelzlup'ward'from` the floor to stand alongside of th'e'housing.v

' f3. `*In an exercising machine, a base serving to support' lthemechanism of the machine and a patient to "be treated, a housing connected to "5 'one end of `s'aid'base, power means in the lower portion of said housing, and an upright rod mounted for oscillation about its axis in the upper portion thereof adapted to be oscillated by said power means, that portion of the base upon which l0 the patient stands being hinged to the remainder of the base and adapted to be rotated from ho-rizontal operative position to vertical inoperative position to economize space when not in use, and means for locking said hinged portion of the base 15 to the remainder thereof in horizontal position, the unlocking of said hinged portion from the remainder thereof serving to break the energy circuit tothe power means in the housing and prevent operation of the machine.

4. In an exercising machine, a base, a housing resting on said base and enclosing the mechanism Y of the machine, and means for increasing the stability of the base when the machine is being used comprising rods extending horizontally from 25 said base to normally engage the floor and increase the effective bearing area of the base, said rods, when the machine is not in use, -being adapted for removal and insertion in vertical position in the base of the machine. 3

5. An exercising machine comprising a base, a casing mounted on said base, an upright shaft mounted in said casing mechanism enclosed in said casing for vibrating said shaft, arms extending outwardly from the upper end of said 35 shaft and movable therewith for imparting Vibration to an associated massaging belt, the base including a patient supporting portion sloping away from the casing so that the patient can lean backward slightly against the massaging 40 belt while maintaining substantially normal relation between feet and legs.

6. An exercising machine comprising a base, a mechanism enclosinghousing mounted on said base, sai-d base having an upper web, said web beneath the mechanism in the housing being depressed to provide clearance and form a lubricant catching pocket.

'7. An exercising machine comprising mechanism operating a massaging belt, a base for sup- Y porting said mechanism andY a patient to be treated thereby, that portion of the base adapted to support the patient sloping to allow the patient to lean against the belt and still maintain normal relative foot angularity and formed with a depression, and a resilient mat mounted in said depression.

8. An exercising machine comprising an operating head, a supporting base, means supporting 60 said head upon said base, operating mechanism for said head comprising a motor, means for transmitting motion from said motor to said head, a platform for` the user movable from an extended operative position to a retracted inoper- 65 ative position, and means associated with said platform for rendering the machine inoperative when said platform is disposed in retracted position.

9.V An exercising machine comprising a base, 70 power Ymeans mounted thereon, said base 'comprising a housing for said power means including a hollow upright, an operating head supported adjacent the top of said upright, means extending through said upright for transmitting motion to said head, a pair of rigid arms extending in opposite directions from said head and formed with a plurality of longitudinally spaced annular rounded beads alternating with annular curved 5 depressions, and a massaging belt with looped ends one of which engages a depression in 'one arm and the other a corresponding depression in the other arm, whereby the amplitude of vibration imparted to said belt may be varied by slipping the loops over said beads into other notches along said arms.

WILLIAM E. SHARP. 

